Doc pulled his glasses case from his vest pocket and placed the silver rimmed glasses on his face. Gently he lifted the patch of dressing that the veterinarian had been holding in place and peered under the gauze. The wound was bad enough, but the loss of blood was what worried the doctor the most. At best he could stop the bleeding and pray that the young man was strong enough to fight. He ticked his head before looking up to Beck, "How's the water coming?" Doc's voice held concern and trepidation all at that same time.

"Just about ready," Beck stuffed another log into the cast iron stove.

"Good," Doc continued, "When it's hot pour some into that basin over there. I need to sanitize my equipment..." Doc fished through his medical bag retrieving the instruments he was going to need to remove the bullet and stop the bleeding in Jerry Madill's belly.

Beck picked up the basin that the Dodge City doctor had asked for and poured some hot water into it then sloshed it about before pouring the water into a near by bucket. At least the basin should be as equally clean, he thought. Once satisfied with the basin, he carefully poured the hot water in and moved it next to the doctor. "My name is Jonathan Beck," he smiled wearily at the older man who was intently focussed on what he was doing before he stopped and looked up over his glasses, "Everyone calls me Doc. Glad to meet you, Doctor Beck."

Beck smiled a little more. He sensed that the Dodge City doctor knew what he was doing and how to handle their predicament. His eyes shifted around the room wondering if the town doctor was harboring a master plan incase the young Madill died.

Without missing a beat Doc went back to work and asked Beck to also do so by giving the young man instructions, "Place those instruments in the basin, son. Then add some of that," Doc quickly pointed to a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Beck nodded and did as he was asked, "Do you think you can save him?" he leaned toward Doc and asked quietly.

"I'm gonna do my best. He's in pretty bad shape," Doc kept his voice low hoping not to draw too much attention from the rest of the men who lingered around the room half watching with macabre interest.

Both doctors set to do their best for the young outlaw. Beck thought it but didn't know it at the time, however, Doc was working on a back-up plan and that he was also scared for their lives.

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Matt had his saddle on Buck and was ready to ride at first light and he hoped that Festus was going to be well enough to join him for he knew no other man that was able to track as well as the hill man. Anything left of Doc's trail was going to be difficult to follow after the heavy rains from the over night storm.

The tall marshal stood in the office and looked out onto the Front Street as the sun began to poke up over the distant hills. He sipped on his coffee and wondered where the Madill gang was hiding and he wondered how his dear friend the doctor was. Matt feared himself the most if anything happen to Doc - the Madills wouldn't even see a judge or jury. Truthfully Matt Dillon doubted that there would even be enough of any of the Madills to bury if they harmed Doc in any way.

The marshal's thoughts were broken when the door to the office swung open, "You didn't sleep either.." Kitty Russell stated as she stepped inside and closed the door.

"Nope." Matt moved to the small table next to his desk and picked up an empty cup, "Would you like some coffee?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Yeah," Kitty said with a sigh as she sat down at the small table in the centre of the room. She carefully picked up several checkers and played with them in her hands while she waited for Matt to join her. She sighed.

"Have you seen Festus this morning?" Matt asked as he turned and headed to join Kitty at the little table.

"No. But I bet his head sure hurts." Kitty looked up to Matt and watched him sit next to her, "Where do you think they took Doc?"

Matt drew a deep breath and looked over his cup at the redheaded bar owner, "If my information is correct, the Madills where heading toward Spearville. They found the sheriff from Salina shot dead after they gang robbed the bank there. He must have been following them..." Matt sipped at his coffee again as he watched Kitty drinking her coffee.

"When are you heading out?" Kitty then inquired.

"As soon as I talk to Festus to see if he's up to the ride." Matt set his cup down just as the door opened and the hill man walked through and stood next to the table, "Mornin' Miss Kitty. Matthew. I have ol' Ruth saddled up and ready to ride."

Matt looked at Kitty who's eyebrows drifted upwards, "Are you sure you are well enough to ride? I mean you took an awful hit on the head!" Kitty stated.

"Foot, Miss Kitty! It was hardly a nudge! Why, us Haggens are known fer their thick skulls!" Matt just about spat out his coffee thinking of what Doc would have had to say about that. Kitty playfully swatted Matt's arm after looking at him with a smirk on her face.

Matt stood up with a sheepish look on his face, "Guess we better get started."

"Bring Doc home, Cowboy..." Kitty stood and watched the two lawmen leave the office and climb upon to their mounts. Matt and Festus had full intentions of bring their friend the doctor home, even if it meant searching for him for the est of eternity. With a quick nudge and jab of the spurs they galloped down the street and out of sight. Kitty drew a deep breath and stepped out on to the boardwalk pulling the office door behind her. Suddenly she felt alone and helpless. She looked around Dodge and then pulled her shawl tighter around herself and briskly walked over to the Long Branch Saloon.